AN: And here's part 2. I know some of you out there are going to be like..Oh God that's so cheesy and overdone with something that happens in this chapter..but I'm only using it as a foreshadow for future events. Pay more attention to the opportunities presented by the events and not so much the actual event. I only use it to show in future chapters just how far Edward will go for Bella..nothing more. ENJOY!


Disclaimer: I own nothing but a waste basket full of tissues...Ew...ok that was gross..Pardon my word vomit, I seem to have lost control of my fingers under the influence of cough syrup!


Strange Friends and Sweet Opportunities

EPOV

Class ended quickly, and Emmett and I made our way out of class to meet up with Jasper. We walked together towards the gymnasium to dress out for practice...which I was not looking forward to. I took a quick look around the parking lot on our way across the quad and spotted Newton jogging towards Alice and Bella. He finally caught up to them, but they kept walking as he spoke to them.

I nudged Jasper in his side and bumped my head in the direction of the girls. He quickly looked that way, as did Emmett. We stopped walking to observe what was going on over there. Something that Newton said made Bella suddenly stop and glare at him. Alice the said something to Newton, and she appeared to be laughing, or at the very least giggling.

"I wonder what he said to her," Jasper said in a distant and contemplative voice.

"I can only imagine what he would say that would cause Bella to glare at him that way," I said as I continued to watch their exchange.

In an instant, Alice's laughter ceased and turned into an almost ill looking grimace. She went to say something to him, but her face contorted and it looked oddly enough like she gagged.

"Well, whatever he said just made that little pranking pixie almost vomit," Em chuckled. Jasper glared at him quickly before looking back at the girls.

Alice said something quickly, then grabbed a hold of Bella, and the two of them started to retreat backwards slowly. The expression on Alice's face filled me with fear as to what he could have possibly said.

When they finally had a decent amount of distance between them, Alice spun them around and they bolted for the car, and within half a minute the car was ripping its way out of the lot.

"What is his fucking problem?" Jasper said angrily.

"I think he's missing some chromosomes or something," I replied in awe of his blatant idiocy.

"Be sure to ask Alice later what he said...I'm dyin' to know," Emmett said as he shook his head. Jasper immediately glared at him, but cut it off real quick when I looked at him, but I caught it just the same. Emmett apparently caught it too, as he quickly looked to the ground and turned to storm off towards the gym.

Weird...it's not like it's a secret that he talks to Alice...whatever..they're both acting weird today.

Jasper and I followed closely behind and made it into the locker room shortly after. The locker room was filled with the echoes of the typical jests and jeers of sports related male bonding. Guys taunting each other left and right, knocking each other into lockers and such. I chuckled as I made my way to my locker.

Some things never change...

We dressed quickly and made our way out to the field to start the first laps of our 3 mile run, courtesy of the two testosterone riddled jackasses that just had to fight earlier. I had just finished my fourth lap when Coach Clapp yelled my name and waved me over. I ran over quickly to see what he wanted, I didn't want to waste much time, and end up being the last one to finish the 3 mile run. We couldn't officially start practice until each one of us completed the laps.

"Hey, Edward. I wanted to talk to you for a minute about some changes for the baseball team this spring. Let's head into my office," he said with authority.

"Sir, I don't mean to be rude, but I have to finish my laps or the team can't start practice," I said apologetically.

"Don't worry about that. You've just been granted a reprieve from that sentence," he said through his laughter as he headed back towards the gym.

I followed him into the building, and then back to his office. When we got there he gestured to a seat in front of his desk, and I fluidly slid into it.

I briefly considered if I had done something wrong to get thrown off the team for the approaching season, but I couldn't think of anything that would warrant that. Coach Clapp also didn't appear angry or disappointed, so I figured I wasn't in trouble, I just didn't know what was so important that it couldn't wait til the season started.

"I brought you here, Edward, to ask you if you would be interested in being team Captain this year. I understand that it's highly abnormal for a new varsity level player to be in this position, much less a Junior rather than a Senior, but I can't think of a better person to lead us into this season," he said, sincerity dripping from his tone.

I was floored. Never, and I do mean never, has a Junior ever been team Captain. It's always been reserved for Senior players. I stared at him in shock as he leaned forward, propping his elbows on the desk in front of him, and folding his arms together.

"I've already spoken to Coach Jackson about the situation, and he readily agrees with me that you are the best candidate for the position. I'm not going to lie, it's a difficult position to fulfil. You'll be responsible for coming up with the line-ups and with making sure that each player is in a position that utilizes their strengths. You'll work in collaboration with both Coach Jackson and myself, creating plays and strategies that you will then practice with the team to ensure our path into the state championships. I highly suggest, should you take this opportunity being presented to you, that you take the position seriously, just as all of our past Captains have. We haven't missed the state championships in over 15 years, and of those 15, there have been only 3 where we didn't take the title," he continued sternly.

He sat back in his chair and eyed me for a few minutes. I sincerely had no idea what to think. I had always hoped to make Captain...but I knew that it wasn't even a possibility for another year.

"Sir, won't the other players be a bit... put off having a Junior as a team Captain?" I asked hesitantly.

"Don't worry about them, Edward. I can guarantee that each of the Senior players respect both you and your abilities. They will regard you with no ill will, as they each know why they haven't been chosen," he replied encouragingly.

"Thank you, Sir. But, are you sure I'm the right person for the position? I haven't even played a full year at varsity level, only a few short weeks at the end of last season," I said disbelievingly.

"Edward, you are an incredibly strong player. Your abilities far surpass most of the other members of the team. Add that to your level-head and maturity, and you've molded the perfect Captain. You, son, are the epitome of what we look for in our Captains, and it's an honor to be able to present you with this opportunity," he said, his voice full of pride.

I knew how stressful this position could be. I also knew what it could do for me down the road. It's common knowledge that every Captain has been offered a full ride to almost any Ivy League University of their choosing, and I would be a complete fool not to take the opportunity.

"Thank you, Sir. It would be an honor to accept this position...provided that the rest of the team agrees with your choice. As much as I would like to be selfish at this point in time, and accept the position immediately...I do not wish to take the opportunity away from any of those who may need it during their senior year. I am not foolish enough to not realize the opportunities that they could possibly miss out on should I accept this position today," I replied considerately.

"There's no need for that, son. Each member has already been spoken to at one point or another today. They all conceded to the suggestion. In fact, most seemed to be thoroughly pleased that we had chosen you," he said reflectively.

"Well then, Sir, if you all are sure....I accept," I said with a wide grin. He stuck his hand out, and I grasped it firmly with mine.

"I guess this belongs to you then.." he said with a smug smile as he reached behind him and pulled out a Varsity Captain's jacket, and tossed it to me. I held it up in front of me, amazed that I was actually holding it, and it was mine.

It was royal blue with white sleeves and gold and white striped trim around the collar and cuffs. The front left chest had a Spartan's head in white and underneath it said Captain in script. I quickly turned the jacket around to see the back and my mouth dropped.

There was a hugewhite Spartan's head on the back, and below it was our team's name, Spartans, in an awesome looking font. Above the mascot head was my name in the same font as our team name, Masen. On each shoulder of the sleeves, it had my number 17 in royal blue with gold trim shadowing the numbers and Cpt. under the number.

I was in awe. The jackets were never this awesome! They were always cool looking...but shit! This was above and beyond anything I had seen before. I slowly stood from my chair and slid it over my arms and pulled the front closed in front of me to check the fit, and of course..it was perfect.

"Looks good on ya kid!" Coach Clapp barked through his wide grin.

"This is incredible, I don't even know what to say..." I said still completely floored at the new design.

"Hell, ya don't need to say anything to me. Thank your pal Jasper, he presented me with the design at the end of last year. He heard that we were looking to modernize our traditional jacket design, and he came up with this," he said as he waved towards the jacket.

"He also suggested that all the members of the team be able to have their own version of the team jacket, so he came up with a design for those as well. It's not quite as... bold, for lack of a better word, as yours, but we think the guys will be ecstatic to receive them," he said as I removed the jacket to look at the back once more.

"What do theirs look like?" I asked out of curiosity.

He pulled out one of the jackets from a box, and it just happened to be Emmett's. It was similar to mine in that it had the royal blue front and Spartan head on the left chest, but under the head it had the number 24. The sleeves of the jacket were gold instead of white, and the collar and cuffs were white and blue striped. He spun the jacket around so I could see the back, and it had the Spartan head on it, but his name above it was in the traditional plain font reading McCarty. There were no numbers on the sleeves or the team name under the Spartan head. It was only slightly different from what the old Captain's jackets used to look like. They were awesome looking, but nothing compared to what I held in my hands.

"I think the guys will probably have a heart attack. There's never been team jackets before," I said admiringly.

"Yeah, well, they better appreciate it because these cost this school a pretty damn penny," he said with a disgruntled tone. I laughed at his expression.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about, Sir. I doubt they'll ever take them off," I said honestly through my chuckles.

"Alright, Masen...get outta here. I've kept you here long enough," he chuckled.

I stood, shook his hand once more, and headed to put my jacket in my locker before I headed back outside. As I headed towards the field, all the guys stopped what they were doing and faced me. Coach Jackson yelled out in my direction.

"SO WHAT'S IT GONNA BE, MASEN?!" he boomed. I laughed.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK?!" I boomed back at him.

"THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT, CAPTAIN!" he boomed once again before the guys on the field started hootin' and hollering, making wolf calls, and high fiving each other.

Once I finally made it over there Coach Jackson stuck his hand out, and I shook it firmly.

"Congrats, kid. You're one lucky S.O.B. you know that right?" he said sincerely as he smiled.

I nodded and responded seriously, "Yes, Sir. Thank you for your support in the decision."

"It was my pleasure, kid. Now get your ass on the field...we've still got an hour left of practice," he said sternly as he pointed to where all the guys were still in a total uproar.

I made my way over to them and thanked each of them as they congratulated me. Jazz approached me with a wary expression before he spoke.

"So...how do you like the new design?" he asked guardedly.

"Jazz, bro. It's...." I paused for emphasis," it's fuckin' amazing, dude! I can't believe you came up with that! Maybe you should look into design school instead of the military," I said through my laughter as I threw my arm over his shoulder and smacked his back.

"How's it look, man? I haven't seen it all together yet," he said with a wide grin.

"Dude, it's freaking surreal. I've never seen anything like it...that bitch is goin' to the grave with me," I said as I shook my head, once again in awe that he designed it.

The fact that I owned a Captain's jacket at all was amazing, but the fact that my best friend, and brother, designed it made it even more surreal to me.

Coach Jackson pulled us back in again, and had us run some plays before calling it a day. I didn't mention anything about the team jackets, I wanted that to stay a surprise for them. We made our way back to the showers just before six and dressed quickly.

I took my Captain's jacket out and put it on instead of the one I had worn to school this morning. Jazz and Em, along with a few of the other guys in the locker room that were also on the baseball team, just looked at the jacket in complete awe.

"Dude, that is the hottest Captain's jacket I've ever seen...it even trumps the Olympic Bears from last year," Emmett said as he circled me to take in all angles of the jacket.

"Come on guys, lets blow this joint... I've got shit to do tonight," Jasper said as he started to walk towards the exit.

"Oh yeah... what are you actually planni..."Emmett started, but Jasper cut him off.

"And you," Jasper said sternly as he pointed at Em's face, "have to hit the road if you want to make it to Seattle by midnight, bro," Jasper said in a calm voice, but he spat the word bro. I shook my head at them as I followed them out to my car.

What is this..a pissing contest between these two on who can act the weirdest today?...


AN: I just want to say..that in NO way shape or form am I living vicariously through Bella's potential to be dating the captain of the baseball team as my stupid friend has been accusing me of. LOL actually, that person (baseball captain) when I was in high school I probably would have run over with my car if ever given the chance...it still makes me warm and fuzzy to think about doing that..he really was an ass, and according to local word of mouth the last time I was out there, still is. Not surprising in the least. Okay enough of my useless rambling... R&R PLS & TY!

P.S.- Anyone starting to have ideas of what's going on with certain characters yet?? I'd love to hear them! But...unfortunately, I won't tell you if you're right, but I will give you a shout out in the reveal chapter....